Success Story – Laura’s Loom from London to New York
(This story first appeared in the Blue Patch newsletter 2018)
Small businesses in Britain are looking for representation with the right kind of stores. With this in mind, Laura’s Loom, an artisan weaver based in Sedbergh in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, sent their Cumbrian Summer Blankets by post to Blue Patch HQ, to be featured at London Design Fair 2018.
(photo of Laura at her loom, with BBC Countryfile presenter Joe Crowley)
Laura’s beautifully woven blankets were an instant attraction and visitors were delighted to see the blankets easily covered a double bed (168cm x 250cm). Check out Laura’s blankets at The Black Bull and book a stay in the Howgill Fells.
Now you can buy one of Laura’s light and warm blankets in New York at Top Hat, a discerning artisanal store that brings unique products to their customers.
Nina, from Top Hat, spotted Laura’s work at London Design Fair and had this to say: ‘I do actually remember seeing it for the first time very clearly – something very quiet in a loud place… I think it’s striking when something quiet makes you listen (or, in this case, look). The blankets are so beautiful, we’re very happy to have them with us in New York – also a very loud place. I imagine the eventual owners will feel something of the magic with which they were made.’
Nina Allen, owner of Top Hat, New York
Top Hat: 245 Broome Street between Orchard and Ludlow. Top Hat is open 12 – 8, Tues – Sun.
London’s got them too, at Emery House Design (photo credit above) and at Artemidorus, a boutique artisan craft shop in Herne Hill can be found at 27B Half Moon Lane, London, SE24 9JU. Open Tuesday – Saturday :10:00-18:00
Amanda from Artemidorus
Laura’s Loom has a natural palette, based on the flora and fauna of the Yorkshire landscape; moss, sedge, lichen, heather, wild fruits and brackens. The delicate blues of the Cumbrian sky and limestone also feature. These soft, light blankets are from the land and reflect the land. Starting with the raw wool off the sheep’s back, hand sorted, washed, spun and woven locally.
The sheep are raised in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and neighbouring Cumbria – Bluefaced Leicester, Hebridean and Wensleydale.
Laura won the Blue Patch New Heritage Award in 2017 which we presented at London Design Fair – which led to Laura taking a look around and deciding to exhibit on the Blue Patch stand in 2018.
